Forever and a Day (1943)
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27% of users liked it
(83 ratings)
The 80-star cast of Forever and a Day would certainly not have been feasible had not most of the actors and production people turned over their salaries to British war relief -- a point driven home during the lengthy opening credits by an unseen narrator. The true star of the film is a stately old… More The 80-star cast of Forever and a Day would certainly not have been feasible had not most of the actors and production people turned over their salaries to British war relief -- a point driven home during the lengthy opening credits by an unseen narrator. The true star of the film is a stately old manor house in London, built in 1804 by a British admiral (C. Aubrey Smith) and blitzed in 1940 by one Adolf Hitler. Through the portals of this house pass a vast array of Britons, from high-born to low. The earliest scenes involve gay blade Lt. William Trimble (Ray Milland), wronged country-girl Susan (Anna Neagle), and wicked landowner Ambrose Pomfret (Claude Rains). We move on to a comic interlude involving dotty Mr. Simpson (Reginald Owen), eternally drunken butler Bellamy (Charles Laughton), and cockney plumbers Mr. Dabb (Cedric Hardwicke) and Wilkins (Buster Keaton). Maidservant Jenny (Ida Lupino) takes over the plot during the Boer War era, while the World War I sequence finds the house converted into a way-station for soldiers (including Robert Cummings) and anxious families (including Roland Young and Gladys Cooper). Finally we arrive in 1940, with American Gates Pomfret (Kent Smith) and lady-of-the-house Lesley Trimble (Ruth Warrick) surveying the bombed-out manor, and exulting over the fact that the portrait of the home's founder, Adm. Eustace Trimble (Smith), has remained intact -- symbolic proof of England's durability in its darkest hours. The huge cast includes Dame May Whitty, Edward Everett Horton, Wendy Barrie, Merle Oberon, Nigel Bruce, Richard Haydn, Donald Crisp, and a host of others -- some appearing in sizeable roles, others (like Arthur Treacher and Patric Knowles) willingly accepting one-scene bits, simply to participate in the undertaking. Seven directors and 21 writers were also swept up in the project. Forever and a Day was supposed to have been withdrawn from circulation after the war and its prints destroyed so that no one could profit from what was supposed to have been an act of industry charity. Happily for future generations, prints have survived and are now safely preserved. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Rating, Runtime
- Unrated, 1 hr. 46 min.
- Directed By
- Cedric Hardwicke, Edmund Goulding
- Written By
- Charles Bennett, Lawrence Hazard, Michael Hogan, W.P. Lipscomb, Alice Duer Miller
- Genres
- Drama, Classics
- In Theaters
- Jan 21, 1943 Wide
- On DVD
- Nov 10, 1998
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No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
Cast
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Brian Aherneas Jim Trimble -
Merle Oberonas Marjorie -
Ida Lupinoas Jenny Jones
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Gladys Cooperas Mrs. Henry Barringer -
C. Aubrey Smithas Adm. Eustace Trimble -
Robert Cummingsas Ned Trimble
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Claude Rainsas Ambrose Pomfret -
Anna Neagleas Susan Trenchard Trimble -
Roland Youngas Mr. Barringer
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Ray Millandas Lieut. William Trimble -
Cedric Hardwickeas Mr. Dabb the Plumber -
Dame May Whittyas Mrs. Eustace (Lucy) Trimble
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Charles Laughtonas Bellamy Dexter Pomfret's Butler -
Jessie Matthewsas Mildred Trimble-Pomfret -
Herbert Marshallas Curate
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Ian Hunteras Dexter Pomfret -
Buster Keatonas Plumber's Helper -
Nigel Bruceas Maj. Garrow
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Arthur Treacheras Sky Watcher (II) -
Edmund Gwennas Stubbs -
Halliwell Hobbesas Doctor
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Montagu Loveas Sir John Bunn -
Patric Knowlesas The Son -
Elsa Lanchesteras Mamie
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Richard Haydnas Mr. Butcher -
Clyde Cookas Cabby (II) -
Kent Smithas Gates Pomfret
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Victor McLaglenas Archibald Spavin -
Ruth Warrickas Lesley Trimble -
Gene Lockhartas Cobblewick
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Reginald Owenas Mr. Simpson -
Edward Everett Hortonas Sir Anthony Trimble-Pomfret -
Donald Crispas Capt. Martin
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Connie Leon -
Billy Bevanas Cabby -
Aubrey Mather
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Barbara Everest -
Ben Websteras Vicar -
Alan Edmistonas Tripp
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Alec Craigas Ambrose Pomfret's Butler -
Daphne Mooreas Nurse -
Cecil Kellawayas Dinner Guest
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Wendy Barrieas Edith Trimble-Pomfret -
Eric Bloreas Charles (Sir Anthony's Butler) -
Walter Kingsfordas Estate Lawyer
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Una O'Connoras Mrs. Caroline Ismay -
Ivan Simpsonas Elderly Bachelor -
Doreen Monroe
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Joy Harringtonas Bus Conductress -
Ethel Griffiesas Wife -
Stuart Robertsonas Lawyer/Air Raid Warden
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Charles Irwin -
Arthur Mulliner -
May Beattyas Cook
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Harry Allenas Cockney Watcher -
June Lockhartas Girl in Air Raid Shelter -
Gerald Oliver Smith
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Claud Allisteras Barstow -
Helena Pickardas Maid -
Clifford Severnas Nelson Trimble
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Anna Leeas Cornelia Trimble-Pomfret -
June Duprezas Julia Trimble-Pomfret -
Odette Myrtilas Madame Gaby
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Emily Fitzroyas Mrs. Fulcher -
Anita Bolsteras Mrs. Garrow -
Pax Walker
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Jean Prescottas ATS Girl -
Sara Allgoodas Cook in 1917 -
Lionel Belmoreas Bits
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Evelyn Beresford -
Lydia Bilbrookas Mother -
Ray Bolgeras Sentry
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Bill Cartledgeas Telegraph Boy -
Charles Coburnas Sir William -
Robert Cooteas Blind Officer
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Ernest Cossartas Mr. Blinkinsep -
Kay Deslys -
Isobel Elsomas Lady Trimble-Pomfret
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Herbert Evansas Bobby -
Reginald Gardineras Ass't. Hotel Manager -
Mary Gordon
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Stuart Hall -
Gerald Hamer -
Lumsden Hareas Fitch
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Dennis Hoeyas Mover -
Queenie Leonardas Housemaid -
Doris Lloyd
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Moyna MacGill -
Noel Madisonas Mr. Dunkinfield -
Mickey Martinas Boy
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Barry Norton -
Bernie Sellas Naval Officer -
Peter Godfreyas Mr. Pepperdish
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Philip Ahlmas Card Player -
Vangie Beilbyas Woman Drunk -
Gabriel Canzonaas Man with Monkey
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